The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [57]
‘Can you blame me?’ grumbled Camelin. ‘At least I’m not scared of heights.’
‘Who on earth’s scared of heights?’ asked Elan.
Jack frowned at Camelin who shuffled from foot to foot and hunched his head into his neck as far as it would go.’
‘Sorry Jack,’ he whispered.
‘Well why didn’t you say?’ Nora said. ‘Fancy keeping that to yourself!’
Jack didn’t say anything; he was too embarrassed. He’d thought his secret would have been safe with Camelin and he’d hoped he’d feel differently once he was a raven.
‘Straight down to the herborium with you. I’ve got just the thing. You’ll never have a problem with heights again.’
Once they were in Nora’s room she rummaged around the shelves looking for the right bottle. Jack felt very grateful.
‘When you’ve drunk this you can transform in here. Save you going back upstairs. Camelin will have you flying in no time.’
Jack drank the bitter-tasting liquid. It felt hot in his throat and made his mouth taste awful.
‘Sorry Jack,’ Camelin said again. ‘It sort of slipped out. I didn’t mean to tell.’
‘It’s not a problem and if this helps I could be flying soon.’
Camelin shuffled around until Nora left them alone.
‘Did you bring me anything, you know, for the flying lesson?’
‘I did but I’m only giving you half. I need something to get rid of this awful taste.’
Jack undid the small cake he’d brought from his room for Camelin. He broke it in two. In one gulp Camelin’s half was gone.
‘OK, let’s go.’ He croaked and touched Jack’s forehead. ‘We’ll start with a bit of gliding, only a bit higher this time.’
They skipped over to the beech tree at the far end of the garden and hopped from branch to branch until Jack was higher than he’d been before. It would be a long glide to the grass but he felt confident.
‘Here goes!’ Jack croaked as he opened his wings and stepped off the branch.
For the first time in his life he didn’t feel sick when he looked down. The ground wasn’t swirling below him. Instead of gliding as he’d agreed instinct took over. His wings seemed to know just what to do. He brought them down powerfully and then up again and again and again. Suddenly he was gaining height.
‘I’m flying!’ he croaked excitedly. ‘This time I’m really flying.’
Jack saw Camelin’s beak open as he rose past him.
‘Close your beak,’ Jack croaked. ‘I thought you said it was rude to stare.’
Jack gained more and more height. He felt no fear. flying was the best feeling in the whole world.
‘Look at me!’ he cried.
‘Come down now before you get me into trouble,’ Camelin called after him.
‘This is brilliant! Whatever Nora gave me, it’s working.’
‘Set down on the grass,’ shouted Camelin.
It was too late. Jack had already started an approach towards the branch where Camelin sat. The touchdown didn’t quite go as planned. Jack overshot and went careering into the next tree.
‘We need to work on your landing skills!’ laughed Camelin.
‘Oh wow!’ exclaimed Jack. ‘I need to do that again.’
For the rest of the morning Jack practiced his new skill. Camelin helped him to refine his technique and taught him how to estimate where his feet needed to go when he came in to land.
‘I think I need a rest,’ gasped Jack. ‘I didn’t realise how tiring flying would be.’
‘Let’s go and get some food,’ suggested Camelin. ‘Follow me!’
Jack presumed they’d be making their way towards the house but instead he followed Camelin as the raven flew over the hedge, across the main road and around the back of the shops next to the Church. They landed on a flat roof behind a fish and chip shop.
‘Leave this to me,’ Camelin whispered.
He swooped down, landed on the window ledge and tapped on the window. He puffed out his chest and walked proudly up and down once the two women in the back, who were preparing chips, noticed him.
‘Oh look!’ exclaimed the younger woman. ‘That crow’s back!’
‘Ah look, he’s brought his girlfriend too!’ replied the other woman pointing towards Jack.
The two women put their head